tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773599297895528113.post4563226098715534204..comments2023-08-19T04:56:24.878-07:00Comments on It seemed like a good idea at the time...: HiatusFunderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06358687366401205336noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773599297895528113.post-22687080494059117862009-04-27T11:06:00.000-07:002009-04-27T11:06:00.000-07:00The fake sheepskin (it's fluffier than fleece) on ...The fake sheepskin (it's fluffier than fleece) on my 4-Beat's english leathers (which are really far from) cover up the buckle so that they do not bother me or mark the saddle. It closes with a strip of velcro around the leathers. I don't know if that would work, but it's pretty soft and you wouldn't believe the mess that is within.<br /><br />untrott - the goal of a gaited horse!Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794050418919719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773599297895528113.post-6310331949999460172009-04-26T14:52:00.000-07:002009-04-26T14:52:00.000-07:00Making sure that natural materials meet natural (m...Making sure that natural materials meet natural (meaning only leather, wool, felt, etc contacts the horse) is a good way to reduce rubbing problems. The other things to look at (no failure on your part implied!) are avoiding pressure points and ensuring that interfaces between horse and tack are scrupulously clean. I do hope that you get to the bottom of whatever is the problem.White Horse Pilgrimhttp://transylvanianhorseman.typepad.com/whitehorsepilgrim/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773599297895528113.post-22025068949119012172009-04-26T10:54:00.000-07:002009-04-26T10:54:00.000-07:00Thanks for the good ideas, yall. I think I'm goin...Thanks for the good ideas, yall. I think I'm going to move the buckle down as low as possible and wrap it in place, see how that helps.<br /><br />Michelle - I'm pretty paranoid that I'm making her sore somehow, and I check her often. She doesn't react to any of my poking, prodding, or touching! <br /><br />EvenSong - I thought about that, but the pad I'm using right now is cut to fit the saddle, there's no area where the buckle wouldn't come in contact with her. I am probably going to switch to using Champ's pad, and I'll have room with that.<br /><br />AareneX - I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one who's done this. The buckle IS vetwrapped! In one of those stills it's not, because I'd just let some kids ride Champ and I'd moved the stirrups up for them, but 90% of the time it's wrapped. :( <br /><br />I can completely remove the fenders/stirrups without damaging the saddle - they just hang on the tree. My next step will probably be to try English/endurance leathers, if moving the buckle down doesn't work.Funderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06358687366401205336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773599297895528113.post-9250380911387523982009-04-26T10:14:00.000-07:002009-04-26T10:14:00.000-07:00I had the same problem with my old cordura fenders...I had the same problem with my old cordura fenders--not only did the buckle break some of the horse's hairs, but it eventually wore a hole in the cordura. Hmmm.<br /><br />The damage slowed way down when I started riding in a more balanced posture (still working on that, it's an ongoing battle). <br /><br />I suggest that you try wrapping the buckle with a couple of layers of vetwrap, and maybe the rubbing will decrease. <br /><br />Alternately, if your saddle allows it, perhaps you could experiment with different stirrup/fender styles?<br /><br />These days I ride distance in a western-style endurance saddle with english-style "leathers" (they are made of biothane). No buckles rubbing the mare OR me, it's a good solution. Fortunately, endurance people don't care about this kind of tack mashup: as long as the rig is functional it gets a thumbs-up.AareneXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17569818745110332355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773599297895528113.post-33019352354938062842009-04-25T17:23:00.000-07:002009-04-25T17:23:00.000-07:00Or could you shift the fenders so the buckle is hi...Or could you shift the fenders so the buckle is higher? Up by the saddle pad? Though then it may end up rubbing you raw! My black and white is very thin-skinned, so I have to be very careful with her. (She also sunburns very easily.)<br />Hope you can figure it out!EvenSonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032555334605790413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8773599297895528113.post-25767851584341369952009-04-25T15:51:00.000-07:002009-04-25T15:51:00.000-07:00Hmmm, it does seem as though your riding with a dr...Hmmm, it does seem as though your riding with a dressage type seat/leg with a western saddle may be the issue. I would try spinning the leathers so that the buckle is down near your ankle. I would still check her over well, and make sure she isn't still sore but without rub marks.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06077353902007793840noreply@blogger.com